Victoria, Withington

Built in the late 1800s before being bought by Hydes in 1904 and extended into the adjoining off licence in the 1980s. The period exterior with its etched glass windows hides a large open-plan compartmentalised interior. This area mixes local residents with one of the largest student populations in Europe, who bolster the trade in the evenings. This mix of clientele ensures that the pub is busy at lunchtimes and can be packed in the evenings. The pub also benefits from big screen sports and is an increasingly popular venue for watching the game. It boasts a popular poker school on Monday evenings which uses three dedicated card tables at the rear of the pub. It also has enthusiastic darts teams, alternating live music (first Saturday of month is Motown) and a disco / DJ (Fri/Sat) and weekly quiz nights (Thu/Sun) when competition between students and locals can be boisterous but is always good-natured. At the rear of the pub there is an attractive outdoor beer patio where you can enjoy a cold drink in the sunshine. Discounts off cask beer on Mondays. Although food is not served, you are welcome to bring in your own from one of the many nearby takeaways.